Foreigner want to apply for a master (Physics) in Canada or France

[fluidistic]

I have a question. I'm French-Canadian but living and studying in Argentina. I'm currently studying physics at university, doing my 1st/2nd year there. In order to get the first diploma the course lasts 5 years (it's about 25 matters and a special work on the last year). From it you can apply for a doctorate without even passing by a master. (In Argentina, that is).
So I'm planning to get the first diploma and then come to Canada (Montréal) or France, in order to apply for a master (because in Argentina there isn't that much choices for a doctorate). I'd like to know what are the criteria for admission. Would my diploma be enough? Have I to pass an exam? Are my grades important? What if I'm having trouble getting the diploma in 5 years, but I do it in 7 years?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Choppy]

In Canada each graduate school has its own criteria for admissions. In general the GRE is not required and you are evaluated on your undergraduate performance. You would have to contact the specific departments you are interested in attending to see whether or not they will accept work done at your current school and how it will be weighted. The time taken to do the degree is generally not a factor.

Some programs will accept you directly into a Ph.D. program. Others will accept you into a master's program, with the possibility of transferring directly into a Ph.D. program after your first year or so. I would recommend the latter route. In the event that you don't like the program or your project you can get out with something to show for it a lot sooner.

 

[fluidistic]

The time taken to do the degree is generally not a factor.

Does that mean I'm better take my time and get good grades than rush and getting average grades? If so, then I'm happy. I'll take more time to have a better understanding of the physics teached.
Another question, when you said

In Canada each graduate school has its own criteria for admissions.

, did you meant each university?

Others will accept you into a master's program, with the possibility of transferring directly into a Ph.D. program after your first year or so.

Sounds nice.
From now... all I have to do is to study very hard.

 

[oedipa maas]

Some Canadian universities require the physics GRE for students who have done their undergraduate work outside Canada. The admission requirements are posted on each department's website - so have a look around.

 

[Choppy]

Does that mean I'm better take my time and get good grades than rush and getting average grades? If so, then I'm happy. I'll take more time to have a better understanding of the physics teached.

I think the issue for most people is that they don't want to spend extra years in undergrad, living the starving student life. Even though grad-students don't make a lot of money they can for the most part break even. (It's a little harder for foreign students - the tuition is significantly higher). But if that's an option for you, it shouldn't hinder your application.

Further, to get into a graduate program you have to be accepted by the university first, and then the department that has the program you want. The standards vary from school to school and obviously within a university different programs have different standards as well. Like Oedipa Maas said - go to the website of the department you're interested in and they should have all the information you're looking for.

 

[fluidistic]

Ok, thank your for the answers. I'll check it out more in details when I'll be closer to get my diploma.